Rabbits!

[Kittykat93]

I am getting two mini lop rabbits soon, I have kept small animals before but not for years, I've got a big two storey hutch and cover, a big run for the garden etc. I'm looking more for tips on how to keep them happy and stimulated? Do your rabbits play with chew toys? They will be handled regularly and brought into the house, will also have loads of free running time, I just want to make sure I'm giving them the best home. They are two females who have been kept together since birth and are bonded, so hopefully wont be any issues with aggression etc. Any tips for keeping happy rabbits are most welcome :) TIA

Sound like you are already going to do what's needed. Mine didn't really play with toys. Having a much space as possible is the best thing. I moved them around the garden regularly - they loved having fresh grass.

Different levels for them, eg little logs to jump on and off, also tunnels are generally enjoyed.

Hi, I have 2 bunnies from the same litter (2 boys). I would definitely recommend getting them both spayed, as regardless of their bond now, due to hormones it is highly likely they will fight as they get older. Mine were neutered at 15 weeks, but I believe females need to be a little older.

4 years on, my 2 have not lost their bond

Thanks for the suggestions, will get some different levels that's a good idea! and yes to neutering, I always neuter my animals, for the health benefits if nothing else! They are currently 10 weeks old so will look into when I can get that done.

Yep to the tunnels etc. I used to hide treats in an empty toilet roll stuffed with hay.

Just ensure they’re really safe as foxes can be very tenacious.

Yes foxes used to sleep on top of our hutch!😵dd heard them thumping in the night and saw him on top of it.

Beside the point, but did you know the collective noun for a pack of wild rabbits is a fluffle! How cute. I love rabbits.

The first issue is that rabbits should never be kept in hutches. Google the RWAF campaign ‘a hutch is not enough’. They don’t need loads of free running time, they need 24/7 access to the adequate amount of space.

RHD and myxomatosis vaccines also essential.

Their diet should be 85% good quality hay, 10% leafy veg, and just 5% pellets. Pellets rather than mixed bags of food where they pick out the bits they like and leave the rest.

Every week we replace a load of freshly found sticks and branches. Drabbit loves rearranging them! And pine cones when around.

Save empty loo rolls and fill them with hay. Gives them a bit of a puzzle to get it out.
Also most rabbits seem to absolutely adore kale so you might want to get some of that in too

@StarlingsDarlings

The first issue is that rabbits should never be kept in hutches. Google the RWAF campaign ‘a hutch is not enough’. They don’t need loads of free running time, they need 24/7 access to the adequate amount of space.

RHD and myxomatosis vaccines also essential.

Their diet should be 85% good quality hay, 10% leafy veg, and just 5% pellets. Pellets rather than mixed bags of food where they pick out the bits they like and leave the rest.

I'm aware that a 'hutch is not enough'..hence why it's a massive two storey hutch connected to a run, and they will also be getting lots of time to run free. Realistically the rabbits cant spend all day every day running round the whole garden..they will have tonnes of space and exercise just not the entire garden all the time.

I'm aware that a 'hutch is not enough'..hence why it's a massive two storey hutch

🤨🤔

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It's a huge two storey hutch with outdoor run attached for free reign. I don't know why I bother still coming onto mumsnet, theres always someone on every thread who is just nasty for the sake of it. I'm stepping away now but thank you everyone for all of the suggestions.

And also thanks so much for making me feel shit about the one thing that's cheered me up in a long time, being able to take these rabbits in and give them a good home. Much appreciated 👍 I have so much respect for people who care passionately about animals and educate others on how to keep their pets safe and happy, I really do. But to come on here saying I shouldn't have brought a hutch, knowing that most people who have rabbits have a hutch for them, and knowing it's a massive one with run attached, etc. Has really upset me. I love and care for all my animals, please dont lump me in with people who keep a rabbit in a tiny box all day with no stimulation or space.

If the hutch & run are permanently outside, I'd recommend putting some chicken wire into the soil around the run (if that makes sense?) as foxes can dig.
Runaround (the company) tunnels are fab - you can create amazing set ups with these!
Avoid rabbit treats from places like pets at home or double check the ingredients as a lot of them contain egg or other unsuitable ingredients.

Thank you, that's a great idea

We took our drabbit from a so called city farm type place. It was living in a one tier hamster cage...
She now has a 2 storey hutch- and a pen for during the day.. Not vast open spaces but room to hop about, nest, real branches/enrichment and good food and fresh water...
No guilt here..

I haven’t lumped you in with anyone Kitty but can you not see that this is the issue?

But to come on here saying I shouldn't have brought a hutch, knowing that most people who have rabbits have a hutch for them

Most hutches are unsuitable for rabbits, and that’s why education is so important. No one is pointing the finger at you alone, heck my first rabbit had an unsuitable home until I was given an education by someone else. They now live free roaming in a 10x 10 shed.

It’s not about the hutch being ‘massive’ which is subjective in itself. Rabbits need a 3m stretch (or bigger if possible) to run. For perspective that’s 1.5 fence panels and I doubt the hutch is that long? Two story hutches are rather pointless as rabbits are better with the same floor space on one level, and the upstairs part will never be big enough to run and hop about in.

As I mentioned, please check out the RWAF instead of being personally offended. They are experts in rabbit welfare and I’m simply passing on their good advice.

Mine enjoys playing with a ball and has a salt lick that she loves, she is a old rabbit have had her years (about 10) and has a huge hutch, she loves sitting on a pillow and being brushed, my other rabbit is a grumpy rescue who just does his own thing, enjoy owning your new pets, rabbits are such lovely little creatures! (Both mine live indoors with 2 runs in the garden)

My rabbits had a big two story hutch and a run, they were very happy and loved life. They both lived for eight years and were very happy so no guilty here. I'd recommend growing herbs - ours loved mint especially. Willow was great for them to chew on - I think I used to buy it in bulk from eBay. If you can regularly let them out to have free reign around the garden I found this the best way for them to come to us rather than just go in and try and handle them. Good luck, bunnies are lovely!

These are some of my favourite care websites for rabbits:
rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/
www.thebigrabbithutch.co.uk/
www.therabbithouse.com/

Definitely look at the RWAF’s guide for finding a rabbit savvy vet. The girls will need spaying as unfortunately babies can never be considered a bonded pair - once hormones come into play from 4 months it can be all change. My girl was found as a stray and extremely aggressive before she was spayed.

Rabbits are fab but never under estimate them, cheeky little creatures they are.

@BirdyBee

Mine enjoys playing with a ball and has a salt lick that she loves, she is a old rabbit have had her years (about 10) and has a huge hutch, she loves sitting on a pillow and being brushed, my other rabbit is a grumpy rescue who just does his own thing, enjoy owning your new pets, rabbits are such lovely little creatures! (Both mine live indoors with 2 runs in the garden)

Rabbits don’t need salt licks, in fact in can cause more harm than good if they’re binging on them. They don’t need lots of salt in their diet at all.

I had 2 house rabbits although that was mainly due to moving them around over their 12 years, including in flats. They started off in a hutch though we'd bring it in in winter. used some old sacks to cover the hutch at nighttime too to shelter from wind and stop them seeing foxes as rabbits are prone to shock. Also had a couple of bolts on the door as foxes can twist open the standard wooden ones.

food they love: branches from apple trees and strawberry leaves